When we last saw the Galaxy in November, they were flaming out of the Western Conference semifinals of the MLS playoffs with a 2-0 loss to Real Salt Lake.

The 2014 season begins Saturday at StubHub Center, and the opener brings Real Salt Lake to town again. While both the Galaxy and RSL retain their core of championship players, the Galaxy have retooled, adding depth to their midfield, and more importantly, experience.

Gone are the potential of youngsters like Jose Villarreal and Hector Jimenez. Also gone is defender/midfielder Sean Franklin, one of the club’s rookie of the year winners and a mainstay of the championship teams.

Still, the Galaxy have some of the most talented players in the league, starting with midfielder Landon Donovan, forward Robbie Keane and defender Omar Gonzalez.

That will be the foundation of another run at the MLS crown.

“I think we need to be more urgent,” Donovan said. “Last year we were more casual and that’s a little bit to be expected when you win it twice in a row before that, so I think we thought things were going to come easy and we got away from doing things that we were good at doing in addition to the talent we have.

“If we do the little things right most of the time, our talent is going to come through.”

Here are five important questions about the new-look Galaxy:

1 What did the Galaxy do to improve after crashing out of the MLS playoffs following consecutive MLS Cup titles?

Almost nothing for a while. “There was a time during the offseason when I was saying to myself, ‘When is Bruce going to do something?’ ” Gonzalez said. “Because I saw that players were leaving, other teams were picking up players and we still had yet to make any moves.”

The biggest immediate question surrounds Samuel, a 23-year-old who figures to be paired up front with Keane in the opener. What do the Galaxy like about Samuel? At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, he’s a physical forward.

“He’s scored goals in preseason. So that’s good. That’s one thing I particularly like,” Arena said. “And ugly goals. We need to score ugly goals. He’s alert in front of the goal and that’s a plus as well. We have a number of players of quality and finesse and once in a while you need a few bulldogs in the mix.”

If Samuel needs time off, the 6-5 Friend can check in.

3 How will the Galaxy overcome the potential games missed by Donovan and Gonzalez during World Cup play?

First, they’ll insist it’s nothing they haven’t seen before over the years, plus there is a three-week MLS break during the World Cup. But will the new reserves be up to speed with the Galaxy culture by late May and early June?

4 What will be different about the on-field Galaxy this season?

For one, Donovan does not figure to be paired up front with Keane as much as in the past, with Donovan playing from his natural midfield spot. Gyasi Zardes, who had flashes of brilliance last year as a rookie, could become another playmaking midfielder if his game emerges as much as it appears it has in preseason camp. Jaime Penedo, a late-season addition at goalkeeper, will be the mainstay from the start of the season this time around.

5 How far can this team go?

For years, especially under Arena, the goal was the MLS Cup title or bust. On paper, the Galaxy appear improved this season but the coach is taking no chances.

“We want to be a good team on a consistent basis,” Arena said. “At times last year we were the best team in the league, but it didn’t happen often enough.”